Utd dealt number of blows on return to action

WHILE the country is gorging itself on the tasty treats being served up over in France, it is back to the bread-and-butter of the domestic league this weekend, with Galway United on the road this evening to face a Bohemians side in Dalymount Park (7.45pm) that dumped them out of the FAI Cup at the same venue last month.

United have been dealt a blow on a couple of fronts before a ball has even been kicked, however, which will put a serious strain on the club’s finances.

The FAI has announced that United’s home game with Shamrock Rovers, which was scheduled for Friday next, July 1, has been postponed due to the Dublin club’s involvement in the Europa League.

That means that United will possibly go a staggering seven weeks without a match at home, as they are away to Finn Harps (July 8) and Cork City ( July 15) in their following two games. Their most recent home game was against Derry City on Friday June 3, and with the fixture against the Hoops now ditched, United won’t be back in Eamonn Deacy Park again until Friday July 22 when Wexford Youths are the visitors.

There is bad news on the personnel front as well, with one player having confirmed as having left; two more rumoured to be leaving; while another has been hit with an additional two match ban after being sent off against Sligo Rovers.

The club has confirmed that Eric Foley (26) has departed the club by mutual consent. The midfielder made 10 appearances for the club – six in the league, three in the EA Sports Cup, and one in the FAI Cup – and had two goals to his names, scoring against both Dundalk and Bray Wanderers in the league.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.